Steve walked into the living room with Kayla trailing behind him. Together, they plopped onto the couch and leaned back. After a few moments, Steve turned to look at Kayla.
"Are you as exhausted as I am?" he asked softly.
Kayla smiled. "Did those two wear you out?"
"You could say that," Steve replied. "I never realized just how much mischief two toddlers could cause." He paused. "How do you think Stephanie would feel about being an only child?"
Kayla laughed. "I thought you were the one that wanted to have a whole houseful of kids?"
Steve did not respond at first. Kayla's words took him back to the videos they had made before the accident - the ones intended to be for their friends and family while they were on their trip. He had been so certain of their happy ever after then. He had known without question that he and Kayla would have a big family and would spend their lives loving each other and their children.
He no longer felt that kind of certainty. It was not that he doubted his feelings for Kayla, or hers for him. Whatever issues they had to work through, he did not doubt the ultimate outcome. No, his doubts were only about the things outside of their home. The last year had taught both he and Kayla a hard lesson about the things they could not control. In a way, their current difficulties all stemmed from one escapable fact. Happily ever after really did only happen in fairy tales.
"Steve?"
Steve shook his head, clearing his thoughts. "Sorry, baby." He looked at her and smiled. "I still want that houseful of kids. Just not six months apart."
Kayla laughed again. "Somehow, I think we'll be okay in that department."
Steve chuckled and nodded in agreement. Then he glanced at his watch. Damn. He got up quickly from the couch.
"What's wrong?" Kayla asked, looking concerned.
"Nothing, baby." Steve sighed, knowing she was not going to like what he had to say. "The girls should be asleep for a little while. Do you think you can handle them alone for a couple of hours?"
"Why?" Kayla asked. "Where are you going?"
Steve hesitated, then said, "I need to go down to the station and talk to Abe. About my reinstatement."
"Today?" Kayla asked. Steve heard the edge in her voice.
"Baby, I know you don't like this. But waiting isn't going to change that, and every day that I wait is another day that Alamain has the jump on us."
Steve watched as Kayla ran a hand across her forehead and down her face. After a moment, she stood and nodded.
"Go ahead and go," she said. She spoke with no emotion. "I'll be fine with the girls."
"Sweetness-"
"It's okay, Steve. I know why you need to do this and I'm trying to accept it. That's the best I can do right now."
Steve hung his head. He hated this. But he did not know how to make things better. Sighing he looked at Kayla again. "All right. I shouldn't be gone too long."
Kayla nodded, but remained silent.
"I love you," he said softly, as he headed out the door.
From behind him, as the door closed, he heard Kayla say, "I love you too."
Within minutes, Steve was parked at the Salem PD. He entered the familiar doors and stopped for a moment, taking in the bustling activity of the police headquarters. If he was honest with himself, he was not exactly looking forward to being back on the force. He had always chafed at the rules and regulations and mountains of paperwork. It was only the fact that Roman had understood and trusted Steve that had convinced him to join the force in the first place. Steve could only hope that Roman and Abe would be equally understanding this time around.
Steve walked towards Abe's office and ran smack into a tall man with curly hair in a suit. Steve looked up angrily as the man bumbled out an apology. Steve recognized the man. He had been new to the department, joining not long before the boat accident.
"Steve? Steve Johnson?" the man said. He stuck out his hand, adding "It's good to see you again."
Steve shook the man's hand, still trying to come up with his name. "It's good to see you again too." He hoped he sounded sincere.
"Scofield?" Steve heard Abe's voice. "I thought I told you to get those files down to processing immediately." Scofield. Steve thought. That's right. Brian Scofield. Vern's kid.
"On my way," Scofield said.
"Hey Steve," Abe said, noticing him standing there.
"Hi Abe," Steve replied. "Do you have a few minutes?"
"Uh . . . sure." Abe seemed to hesitate. "Come on into my office."
Steve followed Abe into his office, wondering why Abe seemed less than thrilled to see him.
"What can I do for you, Steve?" Abe asked, once they were inside.
"Well, I wanted to get the paperwork started for my reinstatement," Steve said. "When we talked the other day, you said I should stop by today."
"Right. . . ." Abe said. Steve watched as Abe shifted uncomfortably in his chair and seemed to look anywhere but at Steve.
"So . . . do you have the paperwork that I need to fill out?" Steve asked, trying to ignore Abe's obvious discomfort.
"I'm not sure reinstatement is such a good idea right now," Abe said. "After all, you just got back. Maybe some time to readjust to everything would be better for you."
Steve eyed Abe suspiciously. "A few days ago, you seemed pretty encouraging about the whole thing. Now you're telling me not to bother. What's really going on?"
"Nothing," Abe replied, still unwilling to meet Steve's eye. "I've just had some time to think about it and, like I said, I'm not sure this is the right time."
"Cut the crap, Abe," Steve said sharply. "You and I go way back and I've never know you to lie to me, even when you didn't like me." Steve tried to keep himself calm. "Something happened to make you change your mind."
"All right." Abe leaned back in his chair. "I talked to some people about your reinstatement and there were some reservations expressed."
"People?" Steve scoffed. "Exactly who are these 'people' you were talking to? Roman?"
"No," Abe replied calmly. "It wasn't Roman. It doesn't matter who it was." Abe looked squarely at Steve. "The point is that I trust what was said, and I think you should put the reinstatement plans on hold for now."
"What do you mean 'it doesn't matter'?" Steve said angrily. "Somebody tells you something and I'm kicked to the curb without a chance to defend myself." Steve pounded his fist on the desk. "Dammit, Abe. You can't do this to me."
"You're not helping yourself here, Steve," Abe replied. "Just go on home and we can talk about this again in a few months - if you're still interested."
"I'm not going anywhere until you tell me who you talked to," Steve said. His voice was low and dangerous. "I want to know who it is."
Abe looked at Steve for a long moment, then sighed. "Okay, Steve. I ran into Shane Donovan on Saturday, and he indicated that he didn't think you were ready to return to the force. He even mentioned some brawl you got into at the Cheating Heart."
Abe flinched a little as Steve's fist crashed down on the desk again. "Donovan told you that? That son-of-a-bitch," Steve swore. Then he looked down at Abe.
"Thanks for nothing, dude," Steve snarled. "I lose nine months of my life because I put my job ahead of my family and this is what I get? So much for being able to count on your friends." With that, Steve turned and stormed out of the door. It was time to have another chat with Mr. ISA.